Its blue-purple flowers appear in spring and early summer (September to December), and it is pollinated by insects such as butterflies and bees.

The prolific botanist Robert Brown described Dampiera purpurea in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.

[4] Reaching 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, they are generally blue-purple in colour with yellow centres,[3] though pink and white flowers have been recorded.

[4] In the Sydney region, it is found under such trees as smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata), yellow bloodwood (Corymbia eximia), red bloodwood (C. gummifera), blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis), monkey gum (E. cypellocarpa), silvertop ash (E. sieberi), Sydney peppermint (E. piperita), predominantly on sandstone-based soils but sometimes also clay soils, and generally in places with good drainage.

[3][6] Best results are obtained through a steady supply of moisture in spring and summer, though it will withstand dry periods once established.